Tide True Freshman Face Uphill Battle For Playing Time

... the door to a multitude of freshman finding their way on to the Tide's two deep depth chart. Many of those have reached taken starting roles.

Players like Julio Jones, Don'ta Hightower, Mark Ingram, Terrance Cody, and Rolando McClain either started in the opening game of their freshman years or were part of a regular rotation from their first game on.

Jones, Hightower, and Cody all started their first game at Alabama. Mark Ingram was Glenn Coffee's backup in last years opener but rotated in and out of the game.

There have been many other players since Nick Saban's hiring that have seen early playing time even if it only came starting on special teams or providing depth late in games.